1656 B.C.

Job 13)

1 Lo, my eye has seen all these things, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior to you.
3 Surely I would speak to The Almighty, and I desire to reason with GOD (El).
4 But you are besmearers with lies, you are all physicians of no value.
5 O that you would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Will you accept His person? will you contend for God?
9 Is it good that He should search you out? or as one man befools another, do you so mock Him?
10 He will surely reprove you, if you do secretly accept persons.
11 Shall not His excellency make you afraid? and His dread fall upon you?
12 Your memorable sayings are similitude of ashes, your defenses like to clay defenses. (I.e. week.)
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth (put for rushing into danger), and put my soul in my hands?
15 Though He slay me, yet will wait for Him: but I will maintain my own ways before Him.
16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before Him.
17 Hear diligently my speech (cp. Isa. 6:9. See Gen. 26:28), and my opinion with your ears.

18 Behold now, I have set in order my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall expire.
20 Only do not two things to me: then will I not hide myself from you.
21 Withdraw your hand far from me: and let not your dread make me afraid.
22 Then call you, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer you me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Wherefore hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?
25 Will you break a leaf driven to and fro? and will you pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet also in the stocks, and look narrowly to all my paths; you make a print on my feet.
28 And they [my feet] waste away, as a rotten thing, consumes, as a garment that is moth eaten.